Level conversion device and method

ABSTRACT

A device is disclosed that includes a level shifter and an output stage. The level shifter includes a first current limiter. The level shifter is configured to generate a first output signal at a first terminal of the first current limiter, and to generate a second output signal at a second terminal of the first current limiter according to a first input signal. The output stage is configured to adjust a voltage swing of a selected one of the first output signal and the second output signal.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/942,909, filed Nov. 16, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

With rapid development of manufacturing process technology, low power design has been widely utilized in many applications. For example, level shifters are generally used to interface voltage signals between diversely different circuits that operate with different power voltages from each other. However, when operating at a lower power voltage, for example, a sub-threshold voltage, the operations of the level shifter are failed due to leakage currents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the device in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of operations of the device in FIG. 2 when the input signal VIN has a logic value of 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operations of the device in FIG. 2 when the input signal VIN has a logic value of 0, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the device in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the device in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the device in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the device in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the device in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the device in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art and in the specific context where each term is used. The use of examples in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the device 100 is implemented in a level converter or as a level converter.

As illustratively shown in FIG. 1, the device 100 includes an input signal generator 120, a level shifter 140, a selector 160, and an output stage 180. For illustration, the input signal generator 120 includes an inverter 120A. The input signal generator 120 is configured to input an input signal VIN, and further output an input signal VINB, by the inverter 120A, in response to the input signal VIN. In other words, in some embodiments, the input signal VIN is an inverse of the input signal VINB. In some embodiments, the input signal VINB is a phase shift of the input signal VIN. In some embodiments, the input signal VINB is generated by a logical or arithmetical operations of the input signal VIN.

The level shifter 140 is configured to adjust the voltage level of the input signal VIN to generate an output signal VO1 and an output signal VO2. For illustration, the maximum voltage of the voltage level of the input signal VIN is set to a voltage VDDI. The level shifter 140 is able to adjust the maximum voltage of the input signal VIN from the voltage VDDI to a voltage VDDO, in which the voltage VDDO is different from the voltage VDDI.

The selector 160 is configured to transmit one of the output signal VO1 and the output signal VO2 to the output stage 180 according to the input signals VIN and VINB. The output stage 180 is configured to adjust the voltage swing of the one of the output signal VO1 and the output signal VO2 transmitted from the selector 160, in order to generate an output signal VO4. In some embodiments, the output stage 180 includes one or more buffers that pull the voltage swing of one of the output signals VO1 and VO2 to full range, to generate the output signal VO4. Effectively, the driving ability of the device 100 is increased by the output stage 180. For illustration, the full range of the voltage swing is configured from a voltage VSS which is, for example, a ground voltage, to the voltage VDDO which is, for example, a power voltage.

In some embodiments, the input signal generator 120 operates with the voltage VDDI, while the level shifter 140, the selector 160, and the output stage 180 operate with the voltage VDDO. In some embodiments, the voltage VDDI is lower than or equal to the voltage VDDO. For example, the voltage VDDI ranges from about 0.2 Volts to about 1.2 Volts, and the voltage ranges VDDO is about 1.2 Volts. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the voltage VDDI is higher than or equal to the voltage VDDO. For example, the voltage VDDI is about 1.2 Volts, and the voltage VDDO ranges from about 0.2 Volts to about 1.2 Volts. In other words, in some embodiments, the level shifter 140 is able to pull up the voltage level of the input signal VIN to a higher voltage. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the level shifter 140 is able to pull down the voltage level of the input signal VIN to a lower voltage.

The arrangements of the voltage VDDI and the voltage VDDO are given for illustrative purposes. Various arrangements of the voltage VDDI and the voltage VDDO are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the device 100 in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the level shifter 140 includes switches M1-M4 and current limiters 141 and 142. The level shifter 140 generates the output signal VO1 at a first terminal of the current limiter 141, and generates the output signal VO2 at a second terminal of the current limiter 141.

For illustration, a first terminal of the switch M1 is configured to receive the voltage VDDO, a second terminal of the switch M1 is coupled to the first terminal of the current limiter 141, and a control terminal of the switch M1 is coupled to a second terminal of the current limiter 142 and receives a control signal VC. A first terminal of the switch M2 is coupled to the second terminal of the current limiter 141, a second terminal of the switch M2 is configured to receive the voltage VSS, and a control terminal of the switch M2 is configured to receive the input signal VIN. A first terminal of the switch M3 is configured to receive the voltage VDDO, a second terminal of the switch M3 is coupled to a first terminal of the current limiter 142, and a control terminal of the switch M3 is coupled to the second terminal of the current limiter 141 to receive the output signal VO2. A first terminal of the switch M4 is coupled to the second terminal of the current limiter 142, a second terminal of the switch M4 is configured to receive the voltage VSS, and a control terminal of the switch M4 is configured to receive the input signal VINB. In some embodiments, the voltage VSS is lower than the voltage VDDO.

In some embodiments, the switches M1 and M3 operate as pulling-up units of the level shifter 140. For illustration, when the switch M1 is turned on by the control signal VC, the voltage level of the first terminal of the current limiter 141 is thus pulled up to the voltage VDDO through the switch M1. Accordingly, the first terminal of the current limiter 141 generates the output signal VO1 corresponding to the pulled up voltage level. When the switch M3 is turned on by the output signal VO2, the voltage level of the first terminal of the current limiter 142 is pulled up to the voltage VDDO through the switch M3.

Corresponding to the switches M1 and M3, the switches M2 and M4 operate as pulling-down units of the level shifter 140. For illustration, when the switch M2 is turned on by the input signal VIN, the voltage level of the second terminal of the current limiter 141 is pulled down to the voltage VSS through the switch M2. When the switch M4 is turned on by the input signal VINB, the voltage level of the second terminal of the current limiter 142 is pulled down to the voltage VSS. Accordingly, the second terminal of the current limiter 142 generates the control signal VC corresponding to the pulled down voltage level.

With the arrangements for the switches M1-M4, a self-control mechanism is implemented in the level shifter 140. Detailed operations are described below with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

In some approaches without using the current limiters 141 and 142, when the input signal VIN is a sub-threshold voltage having, for example, a voltage level of about 0.2 Volts, the switch M1 and the switch M2 are turned on at the same time. In such a condition, if a current IM1 flowing from the switch M1 to the switch M2 is greater than a current IM2 flowing through the switch M2, the pulling-down operation of the switch M2 is failed. Effectively, the operations of the level shifter 140 are failed. Based on the above, the device in these approaches cannot be operated with a sub-threshold voltage.

Compared with the aforementioned approaches, in some embodiments, the current limiter 141 is utilized to reduce the current IM1 flowing from the switch M1 to the switch M2, and the current limiter 142 is utilized to reduce a current IM3 flowing from the switch M3 to the switch M4. Alternatively stated, the current limiter 141 is configured to generate a voltage drop between the switches M1 and M2, in which the voltage drop is sufficient to reduce the current IM1. The current limiter 142 is configured to generate a voltage drop between the switches M3 and M4, in which the voltage drop is sufficient to reduce the current IM3. With such arrangements, the switch M2 is able to pull down the voltage level of the second terminal of the current limiter 141 to the voltage VSS when the input signal VIN is a low voltage, for example, the sub-threshold voltage.

In some embodiments, the current limiter 141 and the current limiter 142 are resistive devices. In various embodiments, the current limiter 141 and the current limiter 142 are diodes. In further embodiments, the diodes for implementing the current limiter 141 and the current limiter 142 are formed with various types of transistors. For illustration, as shown in FIG. 2, the current limiter 141 includes a diode-connected metal-oxide-silicon field-effect transistor (MOSFET) M5, and the current limiter 142 includes a diode-connected MOSFET M6. Effectively, the diode-connected MOSFET M5 provides the voltage drop, i.e., the threshold voltage of the diode-connected MOSFET M5, between the switches M1 and M2. The diode-connected MOSFET M6 also provides a voltage drop, i.e., the threshold voltage of the diode-connected MOSFET M6, between the switches M3 and M4. As a result, the current IM1 flowing toward the switch M2 and the current IM3 flowing toward the switch M4 are reduced.

The configurations of the current limiters 141 and 142 are given for illustrative purposes. Various configurations of the current limiters 141 and 142 are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the selector 160 includes switches M7 and M8. The switch M7 is coupled between the first terminal of the current limiter 141 and the output stage 180. The switch M7 is configured to be turned on according to the input signal VIN, to transmit the output signal VO1 from the first terminal of the current limiter 141 to the output stage 180. The switch M8 is coupled between the second terminal of the current limiter 141 and the output stage 180. The switch M8 is configured to be turned on according to the input signal VIN, to transmit the output signal VO2 from the second terminal of the current limiter 141 to the output stage 180.

Reference is now made to both of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flow chart 300 of operations of the device 100 in FIG. 2 when the input signal VIN has a logic value of 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

In various embodiments, the input signal VIN is able to have a logic value of 1 or 0. As shown in FIG. 3, operations of the device 100 in FIG. 2 are described with respect to the input signal VIN having a logic value of 1.

In operation S310, the switch M2 is turned on by the input signal VIN. In operation S320, the voltage level of the second terminal of the MOSFET M5 is pulled down to the voltage VSS. Accordingly, the output signal VO2 corresponding to the pulled down voltage level of the second terminal of the MOSFET M5 is generated. In operation S330, the switch M8 is turned on by the input signal VIN to transmit the output signal VO2 to the output stage 180. In operation S340, the output stage 180 outputs the output signal VO4 in response to the output signal VO2.

In some embodiments, the voltage swing of the input signals VIN and VINB ranges from the voltage VSS to the voltage VDDI, in which the voltage VSS corresponds to the logic value of 0, and the voltage VDDI corresponds to the logic value of 1. For illustration, as shown in FIG. 2, when the input signal VIN has the logic value of 1, the input signal VINB accordingly has the logic value of 0. The switch M2 is thus turned on by the input signal VIN. Accordingly, the voltage level of the second terminal of the MOSFET M5 is pulled down to the voltage VSS, in order to generate the output signal VO2 having the level of the voltage VSS. The voltage level of the first terminal of the MOSFET M5 is then transited to the voltage VSS+VTH5 through the diode-connected MOSFET M5, in which VTH5 is a threshold voltage of the MOSFET M5. Furthermore, the switch M8 is turned on by the input signal VIN to transmit the output signal VO2 to the output stage 180. The output stage 180 generates the output signal VO4 having the logic value of 1 according to the output signal VO2.

As described above, in the operations S310-S340 illustrated above, the diode-connected MOSFET M5 provides a voltage drop i.e., the threshold voltage of the MOSFET M5, between the switches M1 and M2. In other words, the diode-connected MOSFET M5 effectively operate as a resistive device between the switches M1 and M2, to provide a resistance to reduce the current flowing from the switch M5 to the switch M2, compared to the approaches using no current limiter. With such arrangements, the current IM1 flowing from the switch M1 to the switch M2 is reduced. As a result, the pulling down operation of the switch M2 is able to be performed with a sub-threshold voltage.

Reference is now made to both of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flow chart 400 of operations of the device 100 in FIG. 2 when the input signal VIN has the logic value of 0, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, operations of the device 100 in FIG. 2 are described with the input signal VIN having the logic value of 0. In operation S410, the switch M2 is turned off by the input signal VIN. In operation S420, the switch M4 is turned on by the input signal VINB. In operation S430, the voltage level of the second terminal of the MOSFET M6 is pulled to the voltage VSS, to generate the control signal VC. In operation S440, the switch M1 is turned on by the control signal VC. In operation S450, the voltage level of the first terminal of the MOSFET M5 is pulled up to the voltage VDDO. Accordingly, the output signal VO1 corresponding to the pulled up voltage level of the second terminal of the MOSFET M5 is generated. In operation S460, the switch M7 is turned on by the input signal VIN to transmit the output signal VO1 to the output stage 180. In operation S470, the output stage 180 outputs the output signal VO4 in response to the output signal VO1.

For illustration, as shown in FIG. 2, when the input signal VIN has the logic value of 0, the input signal VINB accordingly has the logic value of 1. The switch M2 is thus turned off by the input signal VIN. The switch M4 is thus turned on by the input signal VINB, to transmit the voltage VSS to the second terminal of the MOSFET M6. Accordingly, the voltage level of the second terminal of the MOSFET M6 is pulled down to the voltage VSS, to generate the control signal VC. The switch M1 is turned on by the control signal VC. Accordingly, the voltage level of the first terminal of the MOSFET M5 is pulled up to the voltage VDDO, to generate the output signal VO1 having the level of the voltage VDDO. The voltage level of the second terminal of the MOSFET M5 is then transited to the voltage VDDO-VTH5. The switch M7 is also turned on by the input signal VIN, to transmit the output signal VO1 to the output stage 180. As a result, the output stage 180 generates the output signal VO4 having the logic value of 0 according to the output signal VO2.

It is noted that, in the operations S410-S470 illustrated above, the diode-connected MOSFET M6 provides a voltage drop, i.e., a threshold voltage of the MOSFET M6, between the switches M3 and M4. In other words, the diode-connected MOSFET M6 effectively operates as a resistive device between the switches M3 and M4, to provide a resistance to reduce the current flowing from the switch M6 to the switch M2. With such arrangement, the current IM3 flowing from the switch M3 to the switch M4 is reduced. As a result, the pulling down operation of the switch M4 is able to be performed with a sub-threshold voltage.

In some embodiments, the operations illustrated in the flow chart 300 in FIG. 3 and the operations illustrated in the flow chart 400 in FIG. 4 are implemented as a level conversion method.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the device 100 in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Compared with the device 100 in FIG. 2, like elements in FIG. 5 are designated with the same reference numbers for ease of understanding. In some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5, the input signal generator 120 of the device 100 further includes an NAND gate 120B. An output terminal of the NAND gate 120B is coupled to an input terminal of the inverter 120A. In some embodiments, the NAND gate 120B operates as an enabling unit of the input signal generator 120. For illustration, the NAND gate 120B is configured to receive an initial input signal IN and an enable signal EN, and output the input signal VINB to the inverter 120A according to the initial input signal IN and the enable signal EN. The inverter 120A is further configured to output the input signal VIN according to the input signal VINB.

When the initial input signal IN and the enable signal EN both have the logic value of 1, the input signal VINB has the logic value of 0. Accordingly, the input signal VIN has the logic value of 1. With such arrangements, the level shifter 140 is enabled to perform the level conversion for the input signal VIN, as discussed above, when the enable signal EN has the logic value of 1.

When the initial input signal IN has the logic value of 1 and the enable signal EN has the logic value of 0, the device 100 is disabled. In such a condition, the NAND gate 120B outputs the input signal VINB having the logic value of 1. The inverter 120A then outputs the input signal VIN having the logic value of 0. Accordingly, the switch M7 is turned on by the input signal VIN, to transmit the output signal VO1 having the logic value of 1 to the output stage 180, as discussed above in FIG. 4. As a result, the output stage 180 receives the output signal VO1 having the logic value of 1 and outputs the output signal VO4 having the logic value of 0. In other words, when the device 100 is disabled, the device 100 keeps outputting the output signal VO4 having the logic value of 0, instead of outputting a floating voltage.

In some embodiments, the NAND gate 120B and the inverter 120A operate with the voltage VDDI. In other words, both of the maximum voltage level of the input signals VIN and VINB and the maximum voltage level of the enable signal EN are set to the voltage VDDI.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the device 100 in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Compared with the device 100 in FIG. 2, like elements in FIG. 6 are designated with the same reference numbers for ease of understanding. In some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, the input signal generator 120 of the device 100 further includes an NOR gate 120C. An output terminal of the NOR gate 120C is coupled to an input terminal of the inverter 120A. In some embodiments, the NOR gate 120C operates as an enabling unit of the input signal generator 120. For illustration, the NOR gate 120C is configured to receive the initial input signal IN and an enable signal ENB, and accordingly output the input signal VINB to the inverter 120A. The inverter 120A is configured to output the input signal VIN according to the input signal VINB. In some embodiments, the NOR gate 120C and the inverter 120A operate with the voltage VDDI.

Furthermore, compared with the device 100 in FIG. 5, in some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, the device 100 is enabled when the enable signal ENB has the logic value of 0. When the enable signal ENB has the logic value of 1, the NOR gate 120C outputs the input signal VINB having the logic value of 0. The inverter 120A thus generates the input signal VIN having the logic value of 1. As a result, the output stage 180 outputs the output signal VO4 having the logic value of 1. In other words, when the device 100 is disabled, the device 100 keeps outputting the output signal VO4 having the logic value of 1, instead of outputting a floating voltage.

The arrangements of the input signal generator 120 in FIGS. 5-6 are given for illustrative purposes. Various arrangements of the input signal generator 120 are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the device 100 in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Compared with the device 100 in FIG. 2, like elements in FIG. 7 are designated with the same reference numbers for ease of understanding. In some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 7, the level shifter 140 further includes a switch M9. A first terminal of the switch M9 is coupled to the second terminals of the switches M2 and M4, a second terminal of the switch M9 is configured to receive the voltage VSS, and a control terminal of the switch M9 is configured to receive the enable signal EN. The switch M9 is configured to be turned on according to the enable signal EN, so as to enable the switches M1-M6. In other words, in some embodiments, the switch M9 operates as an enabling unit of the level shifter 140.

Furthermore, compared with FIG. 2, in some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 7, the output stage 180 of the device 100 includes a buffer 182, a control circuit 184, and a buffer 186. An input terminal of the buffer 182 is coupled to the selector 160 to receive one of the output signal VO1 and the output signal VO2. The buffer 182 then outputs an output signal VO3 according to the one of the output signal VO1 and the output signal VO2. The control circuit 184 is coupled between the buffers 182 and 186. The control circuit 184 is configured to output a buffer signal VB according to the output signal VO3 and the enable signal EN. The buffer 186 is configured to output signal VO4 according to the buffer signal VB. In some embodiments, the control circuit 184 includes an NAND gate 184A. For illustration, as shown in FIG. 7, when the enable signal EN has the logic value of 1, the switch M9 is turned on to enable the switches M1-M6. In such condition, the logic value of the buffer signal VB is determined by the output signal VO3, as discussed above in FIGS. 3-4. When the output signal VO3 has the logic value of 1, the buffer signal VB has the logic value of 0. Alternatively, when the output signal VO3 has the logic value of 0, the buffer signal VB has the logic value of 1. When the enable signal EN has the logic value of 0, the switch M9 is turned off, and the switches M1-M6 are also turned off. Effectively, the level shifter 140 is disabled. In such condition, the NAND gate 184A outputs the buffer signal VB having the logic value of 1. As a result, the buffer 186 accordingly outputs the output level of the logic value of 0. With such arrangements, when the level shifter 140 is disabled, the device 100 keeps outputting the output signal VO4 having the value of 0, instead of outputting a floating voltage.

In some embodiments, the switch M9 and the output stage 180 operate with the voltage VDDO. In other words, the maximum voltage level of the enable signal EN is set to the voltage VDDO.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the device 100 in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Compared with the device 100 in FIG. 7, like elements in FIG. 8 are designated with the same reference numbers for ease of understanding. In some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 8, the switch M10 of the device 100 is coupled to the switches M1 and M3. In some embodiments, the first terminal of the switch M10 is configured to receive the voltage VDDO, the second terminal of the switch M10 is coupled to both of the first terminals of the switches M1 and M3, and the control terminal of the switch M10 is configured to receive the enable signal ENB. The switch M10 is configured to be turned on according to the enable signal ENB to enable the switches M1-M6. In some embodiments, the enable signal ENB is an inverse of the enable signal EN. For illustration, when the enable signal EN has the value of 1, the enable signal ENB has the value of 0. In such condition, the switch M10 is turned on to enable the switches M1-M6. The logic value of the buffer signal VB is determined according the one of the output signal VO1 and the output signal VO2 transmitted from the level shifter 140. Alternatively, when the enable signal EN has the logic value of 0, the enable signal ENB has the logic value of 1. In such condition, the switch M9 is turned off. Effectively, the level shifter 140 is disabled. As a result, the NAND gate 184A outputs the buffer signal VB having the logic value of 1, and the buffer 186 keeps outputting the output signal VO4 having the logic value of 0.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the device 100 in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Compared with the device 100 in FIG. 7, like elements in FIG. 9 are designated with the same reference numbers for ease of understanding. In some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 9, the control circuit 184 is coupled to an output terminal of the selector 160 and the buffer 182. The control circuit 184 is configured to transmit the voltage VDDO to the buffer 182 according to the enable signal EN. The buffer 182 is configured to receive one of the output signals VO1 and VO2, and the voltage VDDO, and accordingly output the output signal VO3. The buffer 186 is coupled to the buffer 182 to receive the output signal VO3, and outputs the output signal VO4 in response to the output signal VO3.

In some embodiments, the control circuit 184 includes a switch M11. A first terminal of the switch M11 is configured to receive the voltage VDDO, a second terminal of the switch M11 is coupled to the selector 160 to receive one of the output signals VO1 and VO2, and a control terminal of the switch M11 is configured to receive the enable signal EN. For illustration, when the enable signal has the logic value of 1, the switch M9 is turned on, and the switch M11 is turned off. Accordingly, the switches M1-M6 are enabled. As a result, the logic value of the output signal VO4 is determined according to the input signal VIN, as discussed above in FIGS. 3-4. Alternatively, when the enable signal EN has the logic value of 0, the switch M9 is turned off to disable the switches M1-M6. In such condition, the switch M11 is turned on by the enable signal EN, to transmit the voltage VDDO to the buffer 182. Effectively, the buffer 182 receives a signal having the logic value of 1. As a result, the buffer 186 outputs the output signal VO4 having the logic value of 1. With such arrangements, when the level shifter 140 is disabled, the device 100 keeps outputting the output signal VO4 having the logic value of 1, instead of outputting a floating voltage.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the device 100 in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Compared to the device 100 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, like elements in FIG. 10 are designated with the same reference numbers for ease of understanding. In some embodiments illustrated in FIG. 10, the control circuit 184 is coupled to an output terminal of the selector 160 and the buffer 182. The arrangement of the control circuit 184 in FIG. 10 is same as the arrangement of the control circuit 184 in FIG. 9. Thus, the related descriptions are not repeated here.

For illustration, as shown in FIG. 10, when the enable signal EN has the logic value of 1, the enable signal ENB has the logic value of 0. Accordingly, the switch M10 is turned on by the enable signal ENB, and the switch M11 is turned off by the enable signal EN. As a result, the switches M1-M6 are enabled, and the logic value of the output signal VO4 is determined according to the input signal VIN, as discussed above in FIGS. 3-4. Alternatively, when the enable signal EN has the logic value of 0, the enable signal ENB has the logic value of 1. Accordingly, the switch M10 is turned off by the enable signal ENB to disable the switches M1-M6, and the switch M11 is turned on by the enable signal EN to transmit the voltage VDDO to the buffer 182. As a result, the buffer 186 outputs the output signal VO4 having the logic value of 1.

As described above, the device 100 in the present disclosure is able to convert the sub-threshold voltage to a standard supply voltage for low-voltage circuits and systems. Moreover, the device 100 in the present disclosure is also able to convert the standard supply voltage the sub-threshold voltage according to practical applications. In other words, the device 100 in the present disclosure is able to operate with a wide voltage operation range.

In this document, the term “coupled” may also be termed as “electrically coupled,” and the term “connected” may be termed as “electrically connected”. “Coupled” and “connected” may also be used to indicate that two or more elements cooperate or interact with each other.

In some embodiments, a device is disclosed that includes a level shifter and an output stage. The level shifter includes a first current limiter. The level shifter is configured to generate a first output signal at a first terminal of the first current limiter, and to generate a second output signal at a second terminal of the first current limiter according to a first input signal. The output stage is configured to adjust a voltage swing of a selected one of the first output signal and the second output signal.

Also disclosed is a device that includes a first pulling-up unit, a first pulling-down unit, a first current limiter, and an output stage. The first pulling-up unit is configured to pull up a first terminal of the first current limiter, to generate a first output signal. The first pulling-down unit is configured to configured to pull down a second terminal of the first current limiter, to generate a second output signal. The output stage is configured to adjust a voltage swing of one of the first output signal and the second output signal, which is transmitted through a selector.

Also disclosed is a method that includes the operation below. A first current limiter reduces a current flowing from a first node that is coupled to a first pull-up unit and configured to generate a first output signal, to a second node that is coupled to a first pulling-down unit and configured to generate a second output signal.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a level shifter comprising a first current limiter, wherein the level shifter is configured to generate a first output signal at a first terminal of the first current limiter, and to generate a second output signal at a second terminal of the first current limiter according to a first input signal; a first switching unit; a second switching unit; and an output stage configured to receive the first output signal transmitted through the first switching unit or the second output signal transmitted through the second switching unit, and configured to adjust a voltage swing of the first output signal when receiving the first output signal, or to adjust a voltage swing of the second output signal when receiving the second output signal.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the level shifter further comprises: a first pulling-up unit configured to pull up a voltage level of the first terminal of the first current limiter to a first voltage according to a control signal, to generate the first output signal; and a first pulling-down unit configured to pull down a voltage level of the second terminal of the first current limiter to a second voltage according to the first input signal, to generate the second output signal.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first current limiter comprises: a diode-connected transistor coupled between the first pulling-up unit and the first pulling-down unit.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the level shifter further comprises: a second current limiter; a second pulling-up unit configured to pull up a voltage level of a first terminal of the second current limiter to the first voltage according to the second output signal, to generate the control signal; and a second pulling-down unit configured to pull down a voltage level of a second terminal of the second current limiter to the second voltage according to a second input signal.
 5. The device of claim 4, further comprising: an inverter configured to generate the second input signal according to the first input signal.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein the level shifter further comprises: an enabling unit configured to enable the first current limiter, the first pulling-up unit, the first pulling-down unit, the second current limiter, the second pulling-up unit, and the second pulling-down unit according to an enable signal, wherein a first terminal of the enabling unit is coupled to the first pulling-down unit and the second pulling-down unit, and a second terminal of the enabling unit is configured to receive the second voltage.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the output stage comprises: a first buffer configured to generate a third output signal according to the one of the first output signal and the second output signal.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the output stage further comprises: a control circuit configured to output a buffer signal according to an enable signal and the third output signal; and a second buffer configured to generate a fourth output signal according to the buffer signal.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the control circuit comprises: a logic gate configured to perform an NAND operation of the enable signal and the third output signal, in order to generate the buffer signal.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first switching unit is coupled between the first terminal of the first current limiter and the output stage; and the second switching unit is coupled between the second terminal of the first current limiter and the output stage.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first switching unit is configured to be turned on according to the first input signal, to output the first output signal; and the second switching unit is configured to be turned on according to the first input signal, to output the second output signal.
 12. A device, comprising: a first current limiter; a first pulling-up unit configured to pull up a first terminal of the first current limiter, to generate a first output signal; a first pulling-down unit configured to pull down a second terminal of the first current limiter, to generate a second output signal; and an output stage configured to receive the first output signal or the second output signal which is transmitted through a selector, and configured to adjust a voltage swing of the received first output signal or the received second output signal, which is transmitted through the selector.
 13. The device of claim 12, further comprising: a second current limiter; a second pulling-up unit configured to pull up a voltage level of a first terminal of the second current limiter to a first voltage according to the second output signal; and a second pulling-down unit configured to pull down a voltage level of a second terminal of the second current limiter to a second voltage according to a second input signal, to generate a control signal.
 14. The device of claim 13, further comprising: an inverter configured to generate the second input signal according to a first input signal.
 15. The device of claim 13, further comprising: an enabling unit configured to enable the first current limiter, the first pulling-up unit, the first pulling-down unit, the second current limiter, the second pulling-up unit, and the second pulling-down unit according to a first enable signal, wherein a first terminal of the enabling unit is coupled to the first pulling-down unit and the second pulling-down unit, and a second terminal of the enabling unit is configured to receive the second voltage.
 16. The device of claim 12, further comprising: a first switching unit configured to be turned on according to a first input signal, to output the first output signal; and a second switching unit configured to be turned on according to the first input signal, to output the second output signal.
 17. The device of claim 12, wherein the output stage comprises: a first buffer configured to generate a third output signal according to the one of the first output signal and the second output signal; a control circuit configured to output a buffer signal according to an enable signal and the third output signal; and a second buffer configured to generate a fourth output signal according to the buffer signal.
 18. A method, comprising: by a first current limiter, reducing a current flowing from a first node that is coupled to a first pull-up unit and configured to generate a first output signal, to a second node that is coupled to a first pulling-down unit and configured to generate a second output signal; and adjusting, a voltage swing of the first output signal that is transmitted through a first switching unit, or a voltage swing of the second output signal that is transmitted through a second switching unit.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: pulling up a voltage level of the first node to a first voltage, by the first pull-up unit, according to a control signal, to generate the first output signal; pulling down a voltage level of the second node to a second voltage, by the first pulling-down unit, according to a first input signal, to generate the second output signal, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage; and selecting and transmitting one of the first output signal and the second output signal to an output stage.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: pulling up a voltage level of a first terminal of a second current limiter to a first voltage, by a first switch, according to the second output signal; and pulling down a voltage level of a second terminal of the second current limiter to a second voltage, by a second switch, according to a second input signal, to generate a control signal, wherein the second input signal is an inverse of a first input signal. 